The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) is one of 21 new industry-led projects that will receive funding from the Australian Government through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
As part of the eighth round of funding from the initiative, CICA will look to implement the second phase of its ‘Articulated Mobile Crane Driver Education Course’, taking the project to national levels. After receiving funding for phase one of the project in round six back in 2021-22, the funding aims to take the national, non-accredited industry training course and make it easily available through subsidy to all crane owners and drivers across Australia.
“While the HVSI has already delivered some fantastic outcomes, it’s important we continue to support initiatives that will improve road safety for all Australians,” said National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chief Executive Officer Sal Petroccitto. “Heavy vehicle safety is crucial for the entire community, and by taking collective action, we can implement change across a local, regional and national level.”
$3.8 million will be invested into 12 heavy vehicle safety initiatives through round eight of the HVSI program, including for roadside health and wellness screening, driver training and increasing vulnerable road user safety. The new projects under round eight address key issues in the transport and logistics sector and provide workable solutions to reduce road trauma and save lives.
“When it comes to creating a safer heavy vehicle industry, the Australian Government listens,” said Infrastructure and Transport Assistant Minister Carol Brown. “This funding will support organisations that are providing critical ‘chain of responsibility’ training and are closing the compliance gap.”
The HVSI program supports implementable, value-for-money projects that deliver tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety. The federally funded grants program is administered by the NHVR on behalf of the Australian Government, with an investment of over $33 million in 132 projects. To date, seven rounds have been funded.
CICA has now received four grants from the HVSI; the two aforementioned rollouts of the ‘Articulated Mobile Crane Driver Education Course’, and two relating to the implementation of a crane industry Road Safety Liaison Officer.
READ MORE: Safety with CICA Bulletin #323: Suicide in Construction.